Forget the surgical masks (for now). Some medical experts say the best way to prevent swine flu is to get enough sleep, eat right, and of course, wash your hands.
that it believes a global outbreak of the disease is imminent.
A 23-month-old toddler in Texas died of the virus. Then we read about "Patient Zero," 5-year-old Edgar Hernandez, who was the first person confirmed with Mexico's swine flu. Panic set in.
We called momlogic's pediatrician, Dr. Cara Natterson, for a reality check. She says, "I am not worried. My kids are in school, I am out and about, and I have not run out to the pharmacy to get antiviral medications." If a Harvard-educated pediatrician feels this way, it helps ease our fears!
As Dr. Natterson outlined in our earlier post, three things are crucial in preventing swine flu:
1. Hand washing, hand washing, hand washing.
2. If your child doesn't feel well, keep him home.
3. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
And there are other common-sense steps you can take, too. Build up your immune system by getting enough sleep. Eat right. Remember all those things your mom told you to do way back when? Turns out she was right!
Dr. Cara Natterson says, "Common sense and basic hygiene are major mechanisms for avoiding any number of viral infections. Hand washing is best -- I far prefer soap and water, but antibacterial solutions (like Purell) are reasonable alternatives if you can't get to a sink. Sleep helps, too. Your immune system may be more capable of fighting infections if you are not run down."
Should we be taking our vitamins now, too? Dr. Cara says, "I am not as big a believer in multivitamins because I prefer eating healthy and well-balanced meals. But multivitamins won't hurt ... It's just that many of the vitamins go right through you, especially if you are getting enough in your diet already. For this reason, I tell parents not to battle with their kids too much over vitamins, and instead to focus on healthy meals. If you or your child wants a daily vitamin, though, there's no harm done, so go ahead."
But should you buy a face mask? According to a piece in the LA Times, regular face masks are not created to protect the wearer from breathing in very small particles. Respirator masks, known as N95 for their filtering ability, are designed specifically to protect the wearer from breathing in such particles, so they're preferred.
Dr. Cara says, "A number of health officials and CDC doctors have said this week that many of the masks being used won't be particularly effective. I heard one describe it as similar to 'trying to stop a fly with a chain-link fence.' But masks do help to contain respiratory droplets (the tiny moist particles that a sick person coughs or sneezes) and the flu virus does tend to attach itself to these droplets. This is presumably why the Mexican government has been handing them out. Again, it's not a perfect fix, but it certainly doesn't hurt."
Bookmark this site that tracks swine flu cases worldwide. This will help you track new cases in your area.
What are you doing to protect your family? Discuss in the momlogic community.
 | Dr. Cara Natterson, a graduate of Harvard University and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and author of "Your Toddler: Head To Toe," is a pediatrician and mother of 2. She is working on her forthcoming book, "Dangerous or Safe?" |
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filed under: cara natterson
Email7 comments so far | Post a comment now >>
with swine flu we must remember to use a hanky, and also dispose of paper tisuse by burning or flushing down the loo.
- sometimer
We should all cover our mouths when we sneeze or cough and wash our hands regularly…even if there is no flu going around. It is the polite and sanitary things to do.
- Anonymous
seriously…enough with the panic over swine flu. It’s getting to be ridiculous.
- Rachel
I don’t see any panic, I see a healthy awareness of a potentially serious problem. Because people in affected areas are following the WHO for personal predparedness, their response will actually help prevent panic by limiting the spread of infection. Being personally responsible is not ridiculous, it is pro-active and should be appreciated. Ignorance is ridiculous when minimal preparations make a difference. The elderly, children, pregnant women, diabetics and immune compromised persons under cancer treatment are especially susceptible to serious flu symptoms. Practice Mom’s logic, but if the flu comes your way -and it will, at least be minimally prepared.
- Sandy
Sandy, it is called a panic when momlogic (and the rest of the media) is covering it the way they are….Go ahead and count how many articles there are about the swine flu on momlogic ALONE. It is utterly ridiculous. The flu comes EVERYONE’S way, such is life. You should practice hand washing even if there is no “threat”. But please, stop treating the swine flu like the biggest disease mankind has ever seen.
- Anonymous
This is good to look at. I’m in 5th grade but i still care!
- Donatella
This thing really has me scared 2 death about out children.Seems like it`s not stoppable
- joeonthago
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